Baggies explain reasoning of Long’s controversial sale to Hull

West Brom have defended their controversial sale of Republic of Ireland international striker Shane Long to Hull City.

The deal to sell Long to Hull for £6.5m in January continues to infuriate and bemuse Albion fans.

Their anger grew further last weekend when Long created one goal and scored another as Hull beat Albion 2-0.

But Albion’s chief executive Mark Jenkins has insisted the deal was good business for the club after Long rejected “two very good deals”.

Jenkins said: “Shane Long was offered two very good deals.

“He appeared to have no intention of re-signing for West Brom.

“Keeping him beyond the summer would have reduced his value.

“There were no other offers for Shane so his sale to Hull was done before his market value suffered.”

Long had six months left on his Albion contract but the club did hold a one-year option that they could have activated this summer.